Transom attachment for outboard engines



Nov. 26, 1963 s. FISHER 3,111,929

TRANSOM ATTACHMENT FOR OUTBOARD ENGINES Filed March 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 23 I w|'1. .IHIILHHHIHHIM l "V FIG. 3 L27 2'! 32 3| 3e INVENTOR.

. FORREST S. FISHER ATTORN EY Nov. 26, 1963 F. s. FISHER 3,111,929

TRANSOM ATTACHMENT FOR OUTBOARD ENGINES Filed March 13, 1961 2 Sheets$heet 2 L INVENTOR.

23 g 26 FORREST S. FISHER BY FIG. 6

ATTORN EY 3,111,929 TRANSOM ATTACHMENT FOR OUTBOARD ENGINES Forrest S. Fisher, 3215 N. Speer Blvd, Denver, Colo. Filed Mar. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 95,357 3 Claims. (Cl. 115-18) The present invention relates to a transom attachment adapted for use with outboard engines to provide a support on a larger engine on which a smaller engine may be mounted in piggy-back arrangeemnt to provide auxiliary or supplmental power.

With the advent of outboard engines of increased horsepower, it has been found that such engines cannot be run economically for such activities as fishing and trolling which are generally carried out at lower speeds. Further, it has been found that while it is possible to provide a smaller engine for use during such boating activities, the change-over from the use of one engine to another presents quite a few problems, inclusive of the disposition of associated steering mechanisms, storage of the non-used engine and the physical difficulties in connection with the interchange of the engines.

In order to avoid these problems and further to make it possible so that the steering mechanism for the larger engine may be retained in its operative arrangement so that its use may be continued, the present inventor has developed a transom attachment for outboard engines which is intended to satisfy the following specific objectives:

To provide an attachment for outboard engines that is adapted to receive and provide support for an auxiliary engine.

To provide a transom type attachment for outboard engines upon which an auxiliary engine may be mounted for use together with or apart from the main engine.

To provide an attachment for outbboard engines upon which an auxiliary engine may be mounted in such manher as to permit the use of the conventional steering and power control apparatus of the primary engine.

To provide such type mounting attachment which may be conveniently and easily attached to conventional outboard engines, and further To provide alternate type structures as necessary to adapt such transom attachment to various existing types of outboard engines.

Further and additional objects of the present invention will be apparent from the appended description and drawings, in which FIG; 1 is a side elevation illustrating the use of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial section showing structural details of an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating further features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation illustrating the operative features of a clamping mechanism used with the invention,

"FIG. 5 is an illustration of a modified embodiment of the invention and further showing mounting features of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a top plan view further illustrating the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation illustrating the transom board adjusting features of such invention.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides separate types of mounting brackets which may be readily secured to conventional types of outboard engines to provide a support for 4311 auxiliary transom board so that an auxiliary engine attached to the adjustably positioned transom board will be held in piggy-back relation with respect to the primary engine for movement therewith as neces- United States Patent 0 "ice sary to provide fully guided supplementary and auxiliary power for selected types of boating operations. Structurally, the device includes linkage, adjustment and fastening features particularly adapted to facilitate the convenient and efficient use of the device in connection with various types of conventional outboard engines.

The detailed features of embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying figures. Of these figures, FIG. 1 is illustrative of the manner of use of the invention. Here it will be seen that the transom attachment 11 is secured to the primary engine 12 in such manner as to provide support for an auxiliary engine 13 positioned in piggy-back relation with respect to the primary power unit. As previously set forth, this piggy-back relationship provides an auxiliary unit that may be of lesser horsepower and that can conveniently and eflic-iently be used for different types of boating activities Without the necessity of removing the primary unit 12 from the boat transom and without disconnection of any of the steering and power control linkages to the primary engine 12. Since the steering is not disconnected, all remote operating provisions and other advantages coupled with the use of a large engine are preserved and may be used in conjunction with the steering and control of the auxiliary engine 13.

While FIGURE 1 actually illustrates the manner of use of a first embodiment of the invention, the detailed features of which are shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 6, certain features of this illustration are related to a modified embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGURE 5. While usually unnecessary, this drawing illustrates the use of an adjustable support link 14 positioned between the transom attachment 11 and a special swivel mount 16 extending about the engine drive case 17. These elements ordinarily would be used in connection with the modified embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5. The features of such elements are further shown in such figure. The FIGURE 1 illustration further shows the conventional location of a main support bolt 18 on the engine case 19 which may be used to provide a mounting for the modified embodiment of FIGURE 5. The primary engine 12 seen in FIGURE 1 is provided with the type of carrier frame strap 21 which extends rearwardly from the engine case 22 and which is adapted to be engaged by the type of transom attachment shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 6.

As previously set forth, the structural features of a first embodiment of the invention are more clearly shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, 6 and 7. FIGURES 2 and 3 are illustrative of the bracket elements 23 which are provided for engagement to the carrier frame strap 21 to adjustably receive and support a transom boar-d 24 to which an auxiliary engine might be attached. As illustrated, the bracket elements 23 include forward extension arms 26 which are of substantially channel cross-section to provide side flanges 27 and 28 enclosing a channel recess 29. This channel recess 29 is of a size adapted to receive and engage the carrier frame strap 21 so that the entire transom attachment 11 may be moved reciprocally along the carrier frame strap 21 to a desired position before it is clamped and held in place by use of the screw clamp 31. This clamp 31, as shown in FIGURE 4, is of a type providing essentially a U-shaped frame 32 of a size and configuration to receive the extension arms 26. The clamp 31 is further provided with return flanges 33 which may be brought directly into engagement with the carrier frame strap 21 so that tightening of the compression screw 34 by rotation of the hand wheel 36 will bring plate 37 into engagement with the back of the extension arms 26. When properly engaged and tightened, clamp 31 will hold the described elements in secure engagement.

When the extension arms 26 are properly clamped, the bracket elements 23 and the angularly disposed support faces 41 on the bracket elements 23 provide the required support for the transom board 24. As illustrated, the angle faces 41 are provided with a plurality of spaced holes 42 so the transom board 24 may be moved up and down along the channel formed by the opposed angle faces 41 and the interrupted flanges 27 and 28 of the bracket elements 23. With this arrangement the transom board 24 may be raised or lowered as necessary to place the auxiliary engine 13 in the required position to assure eflicient submergence of the engine prop 43. With the selection of the proper position the through bolts 44 may be tightened to hold the transom board 24 and opposed bracket elements 23 in assembled relation for engagement with the carrier frame strap 21.

The arrangement illustrated makes it possible to move the assembled transom attachment 11 reciprocally along the carrier frame strap 21 to adjusted positions as necessary to obtain required clearance. In most installations it has been found that it is possible to adjust the positioning so that the angle of the transom board, when projected as illustrated by the line A in FIGURE 1, will be in direct alignment with the prop hub 53 or a frame guard member 54 of the primary engine 12. This arrangement makes it possible to provide a stable rest for the engine if and when it is removed from the boat.

Since all engines are not provided with the carrier frame strap 21, a modified type of transom attachment 11 is also provided, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. In this unit the opposed bracket elements 23s provide most of the same structural features previously described and specifically inclusive of the angle face 41. The extension arms 26, however, are eliminated and as an alternate a support flange 56 is provided. This flange -6 is adapted to engage the engine case 19 and to be secured in place thereon by passing the main support bolt 18 through an opening in the flange and into the engine case.

When this type of transom attachment 11s is used, it has been found desirable to provide additional support for the unit. Accordingly, an adjustable support link 14 having spaced openings 57 and slots 58 is provided to extend between an angle piece 59, which may be secured directly to the lower edge of the transom board 24 and the aforementioned special swivel mount 16. This arrangement in fact makes it possible to mount an auxiliary engine unit 13 which is of the same size as the primary engine 12.

Actually either embodiment of the invention provides a secure and sturdy mount for an auxiliary engine, and accordingly it makes it possible to use the auxiliary engine for many purposes in addition to its primary use to provide slower speed capabilities for boating. Actually both engines may be used at the same time in their tandem arrangement to obtain increased boat performance.

.While it is intended that in normal usage the auxiliary engine 13 will be held in position of alignment with the main engine 12, it should be noted that the mounting makes it possible to provide separate steering for the auxiliary engine. If the auxiliary engine 13 is steered to positions out of alignment with the main engine, many novel boat maneuvering pat-terns are possible.

In order to withstand the forces resulting from these multiple uses of the transom attachments, it has beenfound desirable to make the bracket elements 23 from forged or cast pieces, while a transom board 24 of wood has proved to be sulficient. In order to keep the weight of the attachment down, the central webs 38 of the bracket elements 23 may be provided with cutouts 39 without reduction in strength features. These cutouts 39 are in themselves useful, since they provide a convenient passage for ski tow bridles and the like.

While separate embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent that the invention is adaptable to various modifications and changes. All such changes as come within the scope of the amended claims are considered to be a part of this invention.

I claim:

1. A transom attachment for engagement with a pivotally mounted primary outboard engine to provide support for holding an auxiliary engine in operative and steering arrangement on and with respect to said primary engine comprising opposed bracket elements engaging the frame of said primary engine and extending rearwardly and substantially horizontally therefrom, support faces on said bracket elements extending inwardly toward the opposite bracket element and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction of extension for said bracket elements, and a transom board extending between said opposed bracket elements and in engagement with the said angularly disposed support faces to provide the required support for said auxiliary engine in position rear- Wardly from and in piggy-back arrangement with respect to said primary engine whereby said auxiliary engine may be used to operate and steer said boat.

2. A transom attachment for engagement with the carrier frame strap of a pivotally mounted primary outboard engine to provide support for holding an auxiliary engine in operative and steering arrangement on and with respect to said primary engine comprising opposed bracket elements having forward extension arms of channel crosssection for reciprocal engagement with the carrier frame strap of the said primary outboard engine, support faces on said bracket elements extending inwardly toward the opposite bracket element and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction of extension for said bracket elements, a transom board extending between said opposed bracket elements and in engagement with the said angularly disposed support faces to provide the required support for said auxiliary engine in position rearwardly from and in piggy-back arrangement with respect to said primary engine whereby said auxiliary engine may be used to operate and steer said boat, and clamp lock units for engaging the extension arms of said bracket elements and the carrier frame strap to hold said members and attached elements in horizontally adjusted positions.

3. In a system for operating and steering boats through the provision of a pivotally mounted primary outboard engine, an auxiliary engine, and steering control means for regulating the pivotal steering movements of said primary engine, the improvement which comprises the provision of a transom attachment for engagement on and movement with said primary engine, said transom attachment comprising opposed bracket elements for engaging the frame of said primary engine to extend rearwardly and substantially horizontally therefrom, support faces on said bracket elements extending inwardly toward the opposite bracket element and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction of extension for said bracket elements, and a transom board extending between said opposed bracket elements and in engagement with the said angularly disposed support faces to provide the required support for said auxiliary engine in position rearwardly from and in piggy-back arrangement with respect to said primary engine whereby said auxiliary engine may be used to operate and steer said boat through use of said original steering control means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,485 Desrosiers Oct. 29, 1929 2,217,903 Groves Oct. 15, 1940 2,528,608 Rickard Nov. 7, 1950 2,668,679 Harneit Feb. 9, 1954 2,886,462 Jagiel May 12, 1959 2,936,988 Bodian May 17, 1960 

1. A TRANSOM ATTACHMENT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED PRIMARY OUTBOARD ENGINE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HOLDING AN AUXILIARY ENGINE IN OPERATIVE AND STEERING ARRANGEMENT ON AND WITH RESPECT TO SAID PRIMARY ENGINE COMPRISING OPPOSED BRACKET ELEMENTS ENGAGING THE FRAME OF SAID PRIMARY ENGINE AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY THEREFROM, SUPPORT FACES ON SAID BRACKET ELEMENTS EXTENDING INWARDLY TOWARD THE OPPOSITE BRACKET ELEMENT AND DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE HORIZONTAL DIRECTION OF EXTENSION FOR SAID BRACKET ELEMENTS, AND A TRANSOM BORAD EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID OPPOSED BRACKET ELEMENTS AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED SUPPORT FACES TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR SAID AUXILIARY ENGINE IN POSITION REARWARDLY FROM AND IN PIGGY-BACK ARRANGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID PRIMARY ENGINE WHEREBY SAID AUXILIARY ENGINE MAY BE USED TO OPERATE AND STEER SAID BOAT. 